The enhanced performance of 3C-SiC photocathodes for the generation of hydrogen through the use of cocatalysts

摘要

We formed Pt or Pd particles as cocatalysts on a 3C-SiC photocathode. Photocurrents from the 3C-SiC photocathodes increased by presence of the cocatalysts, and there was an optimum particle size of cocatalysts for the photocurrents. By the measurements of chopped light photocurrent-voltage characteristics and spectral responses, we also confirmed the enhanced charge transfer from the 3C-SiC photocathodes to hydrogen owing to the presence of cocatalysts. A 3C-SiC photo-cathode with Pt cocatalysts showed the highest hydrogen production volume by water splitting. The energy conversion efficiency of the 3C-SiC photocathode with Pt cocatalysts was 0.52%.